Thousands of people marched in Peru on Thursday in support of leftist President Pedro Castillo and demanded the closure of the Congress dominated by the opposition, transferring to the streets the strong political polarization that the Andean country suffers.
The march, called “The taking of Lima” and called by unions, leftist parties close to Castillo and civil groups, reached the outskirts of Congress, which was cordoned off by policemen wearing helmets and plastic shields.
Security forces had placed iron bars near Congress earlier, when police fired tear gas canisters to prevent protesters from advancing.
Congress suspended its plenary meeting on Thursday the day before in the face of possible “acts of violence” during the march.
“Castle belongs to the people” and “Close Congress” were the majority of the protesters’ banners. Others featured photos of some opposition lawmakers accused of corruption, plastered on cardboard coffins, in protest.
On Saturday, another march of thousands of Peruvians was felt in Lima, this time calling for the resignation of Castillo, who took office in July 2021 and is facing several government corruption investigations.
Castillo has survived two impeachment attempts and opposition legislators are seeking support to launch a new political trial against the president, although in Congress they have recognized that they do not have the necessary votes.
In Thursday’s march, the protesters also directed their criticism against the Peruvian Prosecutor’s Office, which in October presented a constitutional complaint against Castillo to Congress, in a new legal battle that the right-wing opposition hopes will end with the president’s departure.
“Judiciary power, national shame!”, “And it will fall, and it will fall, Congress will fall,” chanted the protesters, without serious incidents with the police being recorded until almost nightfall.
OAS Mission
Castillo has affirmed, in his various public presentations and meetings at the Government Palace with unions and left-wing civil groups, that the complaint against him is an attempted “coup d’état” by the prosecution and Congress.
The demonstrations take place a few days, on November 20, after the arrival of a mission from the Organization of American States (OAS), requested by the Castle himself to carry out an “objective” analysis of the crisis.
The mission plans to meet with different leaders of institutions in the country, including the Government and Congress.
The march in favor of Castillo was repeated in other cities such as Cusco and Arequipa, according to images on local television.
In 2019, the centrist president Martín Vizcarra dissolved Congress in the midst of a strong struggle with the opposition. The following year, a new and fragmented sitting Congress removed Vizcarra, who was facing corruption charges.
Castillo, a former union leader and elementary school teacher, scared investors with a radical speech during his campaign, but when he took office he kept the free market economy with the promise of not changing the rules of the game for business.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel Youtube and turn on notifications, or follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
